By Anthony Hazelwood
The following activity has two groups of players playing a 3 vs. 2. The attacking group in three must play under the given restrictions with the goal being to go over the end line to score. The team in defense looks to regain the ball for a point. The idea is to have players understand proper shape and support to maintain possession and to penetrate. The fitness portion of this activity is training the anaerobic capacity with muscle tension action in a small sided activity.
When preparing the practice, if needed, concentration and difficulty levels may be increased by having players execute something extra unique by setting more restrictions. Every activity may be modified, and it is up to the coach to be creative. However, it is important to respect the parameters of the exercise time, the rest, the types of actions used and the weekly periodization of the activity.
Additionally, it is beneficial to train a soccer team and its players with all elements of the game is present in the session. By doing so, it will promote soccer specific adaptations to the player’s body, mind, and emotional triad. Ultimately, these adjustments will enhance their real-time game performances on a physical, emotional, conscious, and subconscious mental level.
Area Size: Activity Grid: 15 yds. L x 24 yds. W.
Total Activity Time: 20 Minutes.
Sets: 1 set.
Activity Repetitions: 7 repetitions.
Time of Activity Repetition: 2 minutes.
Recovery Interval Time: 1 minutes.
Intensity: High.
Objectives:
• Tactical: Train team proper shape and supporting play.
• Fitness: Anaerobic Capacity – Muscle Tension.
• Technique: Proper fitness and off/on the ball execution/techniques.
• Mental-Emotional: Players fully engaged and concentration is high.
• Concentration Level: High.
Setup:
• Three attacking players maintain possession to penetrate over end line to score a point.
• Each round (total of 7 reps) holds a restriction:
Maintain possession and count number of consecutive passes.
Complete four passes before dribbling over the end line.
Complete five passes before dribbling over the end line.
Complete six passes before dribbling or passing over the end line.
Two ball touch play and three passes before dribbling over the end line.
One touch play and four passes before dribbling or passing over the line.
Free play to obtain as many points as possible by dribbling over the end line.
• Sub-sub principles:
Proper shape and distances between small group players to beat defenders in numerical superiority. Gain control over situations regarding activity restrictions. When in possession during restrictions, we look to see if the small group can dominate play by keeping the ball in proper shape, support, and player distances.
By Anthony Hazelwood
Current Seattle Sounders Academy Performance Coach with previous European academy coaching experience as an assistant fitness and strength/conditioning soccer coach with Levante U.D. (2013-2014) and Getafe SAD CF (2015-2016) in Valencia and Madrid, Spain respectively. A USSF “A” licensed coach with a BSc in Physical Education and an MSc in Sports Training and Nutrition.
